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AT&T Might Agree to Neutrality to Get DirecTV Deal Approval

AT&T has been pretty clear from the start that it doesn't like the FCC's new net neutrality rules, since it's taking part in two lawsuits to try and overturn them. But a new article in the Washington Post suggests the telco might be willing to adhere to some parts of the FCC's new rules in order to get regulatory approval of its $49 billion acquisition of DirecTV.

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Sources tell the Post that AT&T will agree to "aspects" of the rules, which suggest they'll probably not agree to the most important parts:
quote:
Among the deal's so-called conditions is expected to be something fairly simple. AT&T is prepared to accept aspects of the net neutrality rules adopted by the Federal Communications Commission earlier this year, according to people familiar with the negotiations, who declined to be named because the deliberations are private.
Except that AT&T has previously stated they'll refuse any conditions that govern the way they manage and exempt services from usage caps, any conditions that governs interconnection, and any conditions that hinder its controversial "zero rating" efforts like Sponsored Data. That leaves AT&T likely only willing to agree to conditions on throttling or outright blocking services and websites, which is something most ISPs had no interest in doing anyway.

The Post notes that in addition to playing nice over some parts of neutrality, AT&T will agree to once again offer a standalone broadband service to its customers:
quote:
As part of the DirecTV deal, AT&T is willing to provide an Internet-only product to consumers who don't want to buy a more traditional television bundle, according to two people familiar with the matter. But at what speed, price and for how long has yet to be hammered out, they said.
You might recall that offering a "naked" standalone broadband connection was one of the conditions of the company's acquisition of BellSouth, a condition AT&T skirted around by making the option hard to find and sign up for. Carriers have since been reverting to forcing DSL users to bundle landlines in many markets, as part of a concerted effort to drive away DSL users they no longer want anyway.
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Robert
Premium Member
join:2001-08-25
Miami, FL

Robert

Premium Member

They'll agree now; sue later.

This is straight from their playbook. Agree to whatever it takes to get the deal approved, then wait a few years, and sue.

Karl Bode
News Guy
join:2000-03-02

1 recommendation

Karl Bode

News Guy

Re: They'll agree now; sue later.

More accurately I think they'll sue now and make flimsy promises now. I'd be very, very surprised if they sign off on agreeing to the rules in their entirety as currently written.

ieolus
Support The Clecs
join:2001-06-19
Danbury, CT

ieolus

Member

Re: They'll agree now; sue later.

Yeah its like they are suing just to try to gain leverage in the negotiations.

IowaCowboy
Lost in the Supermarket
Premium Member
join:2010-10-16
Springfield, MA

IowaCowboy to Robert

Premium Member

to Robert
It should be more along the lines of give up the right to sue the FCC and go through binding arbitration. FCC wins 95 percent of the time.

Tobester
join:2000-11-14
San Francisco, CA

Tobester

Member

FCC to AT&T

"Go pound sand!"
And then enact strict net-neutrality rules regardless.
SpectrumDude
join:2002-04-14
Kernersville, NC

SpectrumDude

Member

What happens when

They conveniently forget about what they agreed to further down the road? Fines wont do anything they have a license to print money. If they break the terms, they must divest themselves of DirecTV. Nothing else will phase the death star

Gilitar
join:2012-02-01
Mobile, AL

Gilitar

Member

The FCC needs to stand firm

The FCC holds all the cards here. Don't negotiate and make the terms binding.
ham3843
join:2015-01-15
USA

ham3843

Member

FTC do NOT fall for it. Deny this merger.

AT&T is just playing Opossum. Don't approve this merger!
smk11
join:2014-11-12

smk11

Member

Might agree....

Sounds like a threat.

SimbaSeven
I Void Warranties
join:2003-03-24
Billings, MT

SimbaSeven

Member

AT&T Might Agree to..

AT&T Might Agree to lie their asses off to Get DirecTV Deal Approval

itzalex
join:2015-02-14
Osage Beach, MO

itzalex

Member

Re: AT&T Might Agree to..

What else is new with them? They've always lied to get their way.